Mount Annapurna I Expedition

Trip Duration 54
Max Altitude 8091M
Group Size 2-30
Best Time for Visit March to May, October to December

Trip Overview

Overview

The Mount Annapurna I Expedition is also a thrilling adventure that takes you to the heart of the majestic Himalayas in Nepal. Standing at a staggering height of 8,091 meters (26,545 feet), Mount Annapurna I is the tenth highest mountain in the world and offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for mountaineers. The expedition typically begins in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, where you will also meet your experienced guides and fellow climbers. After making necessary preparations and obtaining permits, you embark on a scenic drive to Pokhara, a picturesque lakeside city that serves as the gateway to the Annapurna region. From Pokhara, the trekking portion of the expedition commences, leading you through lush forests, terraced fields, and charming mountain villages. The trail also gradually ascends, providing ample time for acclimatization and allowing you to soak in the breathtaking landscapes. You'll pass through rhododendron forests, cross suspension bridges, and encounter diverse flora and fauna along the way. As you approach the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 meters/13,550 feet), the surroundings become more alpine and the air thinner. Here, you will spend several days acclimatizing and preparing for the ultimate summit push. The climb to Annapurna I's summit also requires technical skills, including traversing steep slopes, negotiating ice and rock formations, and braving unpredictable weather conditions. The final ascent to the summit is a culmination of physical endurance, mental resilience, and teamwork. Standing atop the peak, you are also rewarded with a panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayan giants, including Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare, and Manaslu. It is an awe-inspiring moment that fills you with a sense of accomplishment and awe at the sheer grandeur of nature.

Conclusion and Summary

Descending from the summit, you retrace your steps back to Pokhara, reflecting on the incredible journey you have just undertaken. The Mount Annapurna I Expedition is an unforgettable experience that pushes your limits, tests your determination, and connects you with the untamed beauty of the Himalayas. It is also a tribute to the indomitable human spirit and the power of nature that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.

 Trip Highlight

  • Mount Annapurna Expedition I is at 8,091 meters – a 10th highest mountain of the world
  • Magnificent views of Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Himalchuli, Machhapuchhare (FishTail), Lamjung Himal, Hiunchuli and several peaks within Annapurna Mountain Ranges.
  • Explore the cultural and traditional villages, including the region’s flora and fauna in one of the most enchanting spots on Planet.
  • Opportunity to gain a lifetime mountaineering experience.

Itinerary

30 min Drive  Hotel/Resort

Our representative from Friendship World Trek will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival schedule. You will be greeted and then transferred to the hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city. Our staff will help you until the check-in procedure ends at Hotel. You can either have a rest at the Hotel or visit FWT’s office for gathering additional information about the trip. In the evening, join our welcome dinner program organized by our Company.

Meals: BB Plan + Welcome Dinner

 

 

 Hotel/Resort

Today we will spend most of our day sightseeing around some of the world heritage sites of UNESCO inside Kathmandu valley. Most importantly we will complete all the paper works and make necessary preparations required for Annapurna Expedition.
Note: It is not possible to visit all world heritage sites in Kathmandu within a day. So you can choose at least 3-4 places for day sightseeing.

Meals: BB Plan

5-6 hrs Drive  Hotel/Resort

After breakfast, we will take a scenic drive from Kathmandu and drive over zigzag hilly roads to reach Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful town set on the banks of the serene Fewa Lake. It is tourist’s paradise full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with the fascinating high mountains. Pokhara is much smaller and less hectic than Kathmandu. After reaching Pokhara you will be transferred to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Meals: 
BB Plan

1.5 hrs Drive & 3-4 hrs Trek  Lodge

Today we leave Pokhara and take another short drive of little more than one hour to reach Nayapul – the starting point of the trek. From Nayapul we start to trek on the trail that goes along the Modi Khola river valley to reach Birethanti. At Birethanti we must stop for registration at Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)’s checkpoint. After registration and permit checks at Birethanti, our trek continues through beautifully terraced farmlands to arrive at Tikhedhunga.

Meals: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5-6 hrs Trek  Lodge

After breakfast at Tikhedhunga, we will cross a small stream before climbing a rather steep stone staircase to reach Ulleri at 2,070 meters. Our trek continues through dense rhododendron filled forest to reach Nangethanti. From there gradual uphill trekking will lead us to Ghorepani for our overnight stay. We can enjoy the magnificent views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchre (Fish-Tail), Hiun Chuli and other surrounding high mountains from Ghorepani.

Meals: 
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5-6 hrs Trek  Lodge

The panorama of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges from Poon Hill is considered one of the best and classic Himalayan views. Thus today we will wake up early for an hours’ hike to reach over to the top of Poon Hill.  We will enjoy the beautiful sunrise view over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchre (Fish Tail), Tukuche Peak, Hiunchuli and other surrounding high peaks. After spending a beautiful morning at Poon Hill, we will descend back to Ghorepani. Our trail from there descends steeply for crossing a suspension bridge over Kali Gandaki River. After crossing the river our trek goes along the levelled path until we arrive at Tatopani. Tatopani means ‘ Hot Spring’ in the Nepali language. Here we can relax at the Natural Hot Spring which is obviously a great feeling.

Meals: 
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 6-7 hrs Trek  Lodge

From Tatopani, we will trek on a broad motor road trail that can be quite dusty. Our trek goes along the Kali Gandaki river. Our trail ascends gradually as we pass through the magnificent waterfall of Rupche Chahara. From there, our trek continues along the dusty trail that leads through deep gorges. We can hear the huge flows of the river stream while trekking through the area. We will continue to trek until we arrive at the village of Ghasa for our overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek  Lodge

After breakfast, we leave Ghasa and follow a rising trail that climbs for some hours to reach Lete. Our trek climbs through subtropical vegetation with incredible views of surrounding mountains and beautiful valleys. Our trek continues until we arrive at Lete for the overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5-6 hrs Trek  Tented Camp

Today we leave Lete and trek over the trail that climbs further to harsh alpine vegetation. Our Sherpa crew will do all the hard works of carrying the tents, climbing gears and other necessary things needed for the further trekking and climbing. After a few hours of trekking, we will arrive at Thulo Bugin where there is a good campsite. We came here to end our day.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek  Tented Camp

After breakfast, we leave our campsite at Thulo Bugin and follow the trail that climbs gradually over the loose and rocky route for a few hours. Trekking in higher altitudes can be very tiring, so resting every now and then helps in restoring energy much needed for further trekking. We trek until we arrive at a good campsite near Hum Khola at 4,286 meters.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek  Tented Camp

Today we leave our campsite at Hum Khola and follow the trail that comprises several ups and downs and then levels out for some time. After a few hours trekking, we approach Miristi Khola where there are good camping grounds. Once we arrive at Miristi Khola, our crew will set up the camps for our overnight camping.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek  Tented Camp

After breakfast, we leave our campsite at Miristi Khola and continue our trek over then the rather levelled path for some hours to reach Annapurna North Base Camp. After arriving at the campsite our Sherpa crew will set up the base camp and make necessary preparations for setting up additional camps at higher altitudes above the base camp. From now onwards we will take extra precautions with physical fitness and mental fitness in order to conquer one of the toughest 8000 meters – Mt Annapurna I.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

33 days climbing towards Mt. Annapurna  Tented Camp

We will spend several days doing climbing training practices. Our Sherpa crew will do all the hard works from carrying and setting up additional camps at higher altitudes, prepare and provide healthy and hygienic meals for staying mentally and physically fit, and most importantly finding appropriate routes and fixing ladders, ropes etc .. to reach the summit of one of the deadliest mountains in the world – Mount Annapurna. Fully acclimatized and properly equipped with all the climbing gears we will follow the footsteps of experienced climbing Sherpa guides and overcome several technical climbing sections. Taking weather conditions into consideration we head towards the summit. Our much-waited climb to the summit is rewarded with breathtaking views of mountains within Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Ranges. After spending a quality moment at the summit we will descend following the same route to reach back to base camp.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek  Tented Camp

Having achieved the summit of Mt Annapurna for a lifetime experience, we will make a relaxed start. After breakfast we engage ourselves in cleaning the base camp, then we prepare ourselves for the return journey. We start to retrace our steps on the same trail that heads back towards Miristi Khola. We will camp at Miristi Khola for the overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 5-6 hrs Trek  Tented Camp

From Miristi Khola we continue to retrace our steps on the same trail that passes through Hum Khola. From there we descend steeply for a couple of hours and trek to reach Thulo Bugin Campsite for our overnight camping.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek  Lodge

After breakfast, we leave our campsite at Thulo Bugin and follow the same trail that descends down to subtropical vegetation. We trek until we arrive back to Lete where we will spend our overnight in the comfy tea house at Lete. In the evening we will celebrate our achievement together with our climbing crew members.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5-6 hrs Trek  Lodge

From Lete, our trail descends following the same trail until we arrive back to Ghasa. Our trek offers mountain vista of Annapurna regions with beautiful valleys. We will spend our overnight at Ghasa. Celebrate our evening with our climbing crew.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5-6 hrs Trek  Lodge

From Ghasa our trail descends steeply until we reach Rukse Chahara, Rukse Waterfall in the Nepali language.  We will take a short rest enjoying the view of the waterfall. Soon, our trail enters back to Kali Gandaki Valley – the deepest gorge in the world as we head towards Tatopani for our overnight stay. Tatopani in Nepali stands for ‘Hot Water’. Here there is Natural Hot Water Spring where we can relax after arriving at Tatopani. It is believed that the water heals body aches and pains naturally.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4-5 hrs Trek & 2 hrs Drive  Hotel/Resort

From Tatopani, our trek continues on the trail that descends gradually down to Beni – where our trek ends technically. From Beni, we will take a two hours drive to reach back to Pokhara. You will be transferred to the hotel once we arrive at Pokhara. You can either have rest at the hotel or take an evening’s walk in the beautiful city of Pokhara.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

5 hrs Drive  Hotel/Resort

After breakfast, we leave Pokhara and take a drive back to Kathmandu. It takes approximately four to five hours drive to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara. We will drive along Prithvi Highway which offers scenic hilly zigzag roads through the banks of Trishuli River. During our drive journey, we will have an opportunity to observe the daily survival activities of local people while we drive passing through roadside market towns and picturesque villages.

Meals: BB Plan

 Hotel/Resort

You would surely like to see as much of Kathmandu as possible. An early start is practical to visit the temples of Kathmandu. You can pay a visit to attraction destination (world heritage sites of UNESCO) sites that weren’t possible on the second day of the trip. Also, walking around the shopping streets of Thamel is worth spending quality time at Kathmandu. We will celebrate the successful completion of Annapurna Expedition and have a final meal together in the evening.

Meals: BB Plan + Farewell Dinner

Our representative will drop you at the International Airport as per your flight schedule.

Meals: Breakfast

Departures & Availability

The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.

Check Available Dates
Start Date Price Availability

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Price include

We will provide you the expedition cost as per your group size and expedition service requirement. Therefore we request you to send us e-mail or use expedition booking form for further inquiry.
Expedition cost for service up to summit:
Cost includes:
1. Airport Transfers in Kathmandu
2.5 night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at 3 star hotel on BB plan (before and after the expedition)
3. Transportation as per the program
4. Transport of food supply and expedition equipments to Base Camp and back
5. Full board in lodges during trekking to base camp and back
6. Base Camp single tent for each member, BC staffs and Liaison Officer
All kitchen tent, store tent, dining tents, toilet tent, table and chairs and cooking utensils for Base Camp
7. Food and fuel at base camp
8. Service of Government Liaison Officer
9. Service of cook and kitchen boy at Base Camp
10. Equipments allowance, wages of cook, kitchen boy and Liaison officer
11. Insurance of cook, kitchen boy, Liaison Officer and porters
12. Peak Permit fee of Mt. Expedition Mountain.
13. conservation fee and National Park fee
14. One high altitude Sherpa per climber to carry all food and gear to higher camps. 15. Also assist the member during climb and summit attempt
16.3 oxygen bottles (4 lts) per member with mask and regulator (for use only) ”
Poisk oxygen system”
17. Common climbing equipment (necessary rope, ice bars, ice screws etc)
18. High altitude food
19. High altitude fuel
20. High altitude tents
21. Walkie-talkies for each member
22.2 Expedition duffel bag per climber
23. Solar panel or Generator at Base Camp for light and charging
24. Emergency medical oxygen at base camp
25. Visa extension fee
26. Agency service charge

Price Excludes

Expedition cost for service up to summit:
Cost does not include:
1. International airfare from / to your country
2. Nepal entry visa fee (can be obtained at the airport upon arrival)
3. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
4. Hotel after 5 night stay in Kathmandu.
5. Personal climbing gear and equipment above base camp
6. Personal insurance such as travel, accident, medical, emergency evacuation and lost luggage
7. Applicable permit fees and customs charges and commercial filming
8. Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, laundry, postage, telephone etc.
9. Tips and bonuses
11. Garbage deposit fee

Gears And Equipment

Trip Information

Mount Annapurna I is the 10th highest mountain in the world, located in the Annapurna massif of the Himalayas in Nepal. Here’s an overview of a typical Mount Annapurna I expedition:

Duration: The expedition usually takes around 50-60 days.

Route: The most common route to climb Mount Annapurna I is from the north side in Tibet.

Acclimatization: The expedition includes several days for acclimatization to the high altitude. This involves hiking to base camps at lower altitudes and taking rest days.

Base Camp: The base camp for Mount Annapurna I expedition is located at an altitude of 4,130 meters. From here, climbers prepare for the ascent by taking rest days and practicing mountaineering skills.

Camp Setup: The expedition team sets up several camps along the way to the summit, each at higher elevations than the previous one. These camps serve as resting places and staging points for the summit push.

Summit Push: The summit push usually takes around 4-5 days, depending on the weather conditions and the team’s pace. The final ascent to the summit involves navigating steep slopes, ridges, and crevasses.

Summit: The summit of Mount Annapurna I is at an altitude of 8,091 meters. From the summit, climbers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayas and surrounding landscapes.

Descent: The descent usually takes around 3-4 days, and climbers return to the base camp before heading back to the starting point.

Mount Annapurna I expedition is a challenging and demanding climb that requires physical fitness, mountaineering skills, and mental toughness. It’s important to choose a reputable and experienced expedition company and to prepare well in advance for the expedition.

Mount Annapurna I Expedition Map

Annapurna I Expedition Map

FAQS

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

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